Venuti,R. Lot n° 1308

Accurata, e succinta descrizione topografica e istorica di Roma moderna. Opera postuma... 2 in 1 vol. Rome, Barbiellini 1766. 4°. With (ibid.) gest. title vign. a. 54 etched plates. (31 of which by Piranesi). VIII, 288 pp., 2 leaves, pp. 289-548. mod. Hprgt. with rsch. (backstrip and cover detached from the book block). Focillon p. 15. jessen 2717. cicognara 3907. graesse VI/II, 278. schudt 446 and p. 105/6. - First edition of the self-contained supplement to the "Descrizione topografica delle antichita di Roma" published in 1763. "The only work of the entire period intended as a scientific description of the entire city.... [The present] two-volume edition in quarto does not seem to have been widely circulated [in contrast to the 1767 edition in octavo], as it is now available in very few copies" (Schudt). Of the 54 engravings 31 (mostly signed) by Piranesi, made (according to H. Focillon) in 1748 and thus representing an early work. - Some light spotting, book block cracked. - Early work by Piranesi (created in 1748) in the rare 4°-edition. 2 parts in 1 volume. Contains 54 etched plates (31 by Piranesi, mostly signed). Modern half vellum (book block detached from spine and back cover). Block cracked, partly slight foxing.